Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess
It’s no secret I’m a fan of the work Sunny Mehta has done this off-season.
I expect the New Jersey Devils to return to the playoffs as a result, and I outlined three of the reasons for optimism on Monday.
However, like any team, the Devils are not perfect. If they fail to reach expectations again, these three factors will surely have something to do with it.
Let me preface this by saying I not only understand the thinking behind the moneypuck approach in net, but I am in favor of it given the alternatives available.
That doesn’t mean it is without risk.
Jake Allen is the clear alpha in the goaltender room. He has averaged 34 games played over the last three seasons, only made 38+ appearances once since 2018-19.
He is also 36 years old and reaching the stage where father time could catch up to him, be it by way of performance, injuries, or a combination of the two.
That could spell trouble given his tandemmates. While David Rittich was better than his surface stats suggested last season, he turns 34 this month and posted a sub-.895 save percentage in back-to-back years.
Nico Daws showed flashes in small spurts with the big club, but has not cleared a .900 SV% in the AHL since 2022-23.
Allen is the only player I’d be surprised to see go through struggles but, again, he’s getting up there in age.
If Allen and/or Rittich show signs of age, or Daws isn’t capable of playing meaningful minutes at the NHL level, that could make it difficult to navigate an 84-game schedule.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.